First 'smart farm' opens in North China

An artist's impression of a smart farm in Tumd Left Banner, Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region [Photo/nmgnews]

A so-called "smart farm" was established in Tumd Left Banner, Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on May 19, the first of its kind in the region.

The farm was designed by experts at the Institute of Genetics and Development Biology, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and built by an agricultural company.

Using molecular breeding technology, the farm analyzes the genetic defects of certain types of rice to improve and develop new saline-alkali resistant varieties that are specially adapted to growing conditions in Inner Mongolia.

The farm plans to plant 110,000 rice seeds using standard methods. However, in a change to traditional methods, the farm uses a digital system to record and review the condition of every seed.

With the system, scientific researchers will be able to select varieties to meet production needs and explore new methods of mass production.

Rice seedlings at a smart farm in Tumd Left Banner, Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, May 19 [Photo/nmgnews]